A PENSIONER is pleading for help after losing a treasured ring given to her as a present more than 50 years ago.

Judith Harrison was left devastated when she lost the present her husband gave her for her 19th birthday.

The 72-year-old had been on a trip to Newcastle from her home in Darlington last week when the black haematite, nine-carat gold ring slipped off her little finger.

Former bank manager husband Geoff, 74, bought her the ring in March 1957 from a jewellery shop in Keswick and she has treasured it ever since.

She usually wears it on her right little finger but decided to swap hands the day she lost it.

And now she is asking our army of Sunday Sun readers to help find the gift that holds so much sentimental value.

“I’m devastated,” said mum-of-two Judith. “It’s as though I’ve lost my arm. That ring has been with me for 52 years and I would love to find it again.”

Retired hotel controller Judith had been in Eldon Square with daughter Jennifer, 45, and granddaughter Jessica, 19, from Chester-le-Street, on Wednesday, July 21.

“We had parked in Eldon Gardens car park and I had the five pound coins in my hand for the parking charges when Jessica asked about my ring.

“I told her the story of how her granddad had bought it for me for my birthday in Keswick. I had to kneel down under the counter so I couldn’t see it while the assistant measured my finger for it, it was a surprise for my birthday.

“Geoff paid £20 for it, which was a lot of money in those days. My shopping bill was £4 a week back then.

“He bought it five months before my diamond and sapphire engagement ring which I lost down the toilet two years later.”

Grandmother Judith discovered her loss when she got home to Low Coniscliffe. She telephoned her daughter and granddaughter, who jumped straight into the car to retrace their steps.

Judith added: “We had been in John Lewis, Fenwick and Marks and Spencer but they couldn’t find the ring.

“I got on the train the next morning and went back into the shops to go back to the jackets I had tried on the previous day. I thought it could be a possibility that my ring could have slipped off in one of the pockets - but it wasn’t there.

“I’ve been phoning the shops regularly to see if anyone has found it and handed it in but they haven’t.

“I’m so upset. I hope someone has picked it up and sees this piece in the newspaper so I can be reunited with it.”

The black haematite stone is cut like a diamond and set in gold.

Anyone who has found it can call reporter Lisa Hutchinson on 0191 2016493.